A number of black-owned stylists across the East Coast and throughout the country have experienced a significant decrease in clientele.

According to the Professional Consultants & Resources, the salon and hair care industry is a 75.38 billion dollar business. This is an increase of 4.1% over the comp year. However, a piece of this billion dollar pie has been diminishing for African American salons. This is attributed primarily to four factors which are;

• The increase of Dominican salons.

• The trend or choice to transition from chemicals to natural hair

• The lack of respect of a black woman’s time and absence of customer service in majority of salons.

• Failure to use and retail good hair products specifically designed for Black hair care.

• The lack of incentives and redirection to retain and consistently make the hair experience a necessity instead of a choice or want.

Dominican salons evolved in record numbers during the early 1980’s primarily on the East Coast in places like New York (Wall Street Journal, May 2012). African American women primarily visited them due to the fact that they had efficient processes that resulted in less time being spent in the salon.

Diva By Cindy Hair Products

Dominican salons use an assembly line approach that moved the customer along rapidly. The end result of this process was soft silky hair at often less expensive prices than traditional salons.

Despite the prevalence of Dominican salons, there have been a number of complaints. Specifically, African-American customers have complained of hair loss due to the excessive use of heat from the blow dryer during styling. As a result, black hair would break and snap as a result of these processes being applied to our hair. Although the Dominicans have taken some market share, they cannot be totally blamed for the state of the traditional Black salon.

Transitioning from chemicals to natural hair has become a popular trend and considered a healthier alternative to chemicals for African-American women. Moreover, natural hair requires less maintenance and is often a better alternative for someone who does not have a great deal of time to spend on hair. Black hair stylists often fail to service customers with naturals because the hair can be difficult to detangle. However, there are great products such as the Diva By Cindy Leave-In infused with B vitamins to help solve this problem. Stylists who eliminate natural hair services from their menu, claiming it's time-consuming can increase their clientele by using a detangler to minimize the time it takes to wash and style naturals. Thereby, making the experience much more comfortable for their clients.

• Long wait times, (sometimes up to 4 hours or longer to receive services),

• Use of mobile devices while Hair is being styled,

• Lack of attention to detail (for example cutting off too much of a person's hair or not giving them the right color)

• Failure to use and retail good hair products is another problem or common complaint of clients.

Despite these negatives, stylists can do a number of things to improve client satisfaction and increase the willingness of clients to return to salons.
Just as you don't leave the doctors office without a prescription, a stylist should not allow their clients to leave their chair without a prescribed or recommended plan of hair care follow-up after leaving the salon. Failure to do so leaves clients with only a couple of options; to peruse the Internet for follow-up hair care products or to go to the neighborhood drugstore or beauty supply store and figure out what they need. Unfortunately, this does not produce loyalty to their stylist.

Failure to implement customer loyalty programs another reason why women are not visiting black hair care salons. Salons can increase their clientele by offering the following: 1)customer loyalty card programs such as coupons 2) free retail products for spending a given amount at the salon, 3) birthday cards with coupons and other well-thought-out loyalty programs, will help clients return to salons more often.

The advent of Salon Suites have also taken away the salon experience. Gone are the days we would walk in a salon and have women sharing, bonding, and connecting in an open space. As a result, without the necessary foot traffic to some of the Suites, stylists sit and wait and wonder where and when the next clients are going to arrive. Without aggressive marketing and Salon incentives mentioned above, there will continue to be a decline in the numbers of clients for the stylist. Stylists will have no option but to work part-time to supplement their income).

We visit salons to be pampered, and the services must transcend the experience. Stylists must be willing to work with all hair types and textures in addition to chemically processed hair or Natural hair). African-American stylists must also be willing to perform these services in a timely manner. We all love to receive gifts and incentives. Thus, incentives should be in place to maintain a flow of reciprocity between client and Beautician. Carefully thought out incentives go a long way to help retain our black clientele. Salons and Stylist must examine their company's mission and overall vision, revamped practices to include the words timely, relaxing, tranquil environment to attract and maintain their clients. Implementation of a few well-thought-out ideas which involves putting our customers well being ahead of profits will increase our bottom line.

Disclaimer
The articles on this site are provided as a public service and to be used for information purposes only. BlackRefer.com does not accept any responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of the article content. Use at your own risk.

No Endorsement:
BlackRefer.com does not endorse or recommend any article on this site or any product, service or information found within said articles. Resources and links included in said articles are only suggested as sources for further exploration, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained in these resources. The opinions and views of the authors who have submitted articles to BlackRefer.com belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlackRefer.com.

Get your B.O.B.S.A black beauty products discount card and get products for less. No membership needed.

It is a pleasure to introduce you to the Black Owned Beauty Supply Association new “Consumer Discount Card” which is now available to the public. The new Consumer Discount Card will give thousands of Black consumers the opportunity to receive special discounts from BOBSA’s Black manufacturers worldwide.

B.O.B.S.A is a worldwide organization that is both a forum for the exchange of innovative ideas and as a resource for current developments in the beauty industry. The B.O.B.S.A companies will provide ongoing discounts from 5%-25%, which amounts to tremendous savings to you. This will also recirculate Black Dollars back into the Black community, Connecting the Black Dots and Dollars, which is the mission of B.O.B.S.A.

We are proud to announce that the first "500" registrants will receive their Consumer Discount Card for $10, regularly priced at $25 (Annual Renewal Fee).

Disclaimer
The articles on this site are provided as a public service and to be used for information purposes only. BlackRefer.com does not accept any responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of the article content. Use at your own risk.

No Endorsement:
BlackRefer.com does not endorse or recommend any article on this site or any product, service or information found within said articles. Resources and links included in said articles are only suggested as sources for further exploration, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained in these resources. The opinions and views of the authors who have submitted articles to BlackRefer.com belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlackRefer.com.

LOOKING FOR HAIR CARE EXPERT
PLEASE ADVISE WHO SHOULD I CONTACT ABOUT MY QUESTION?

I relax my hair. But I don't color the grays. My hair is really gray in a patch in the front with light salt and pepper on the sides. Why do I need your help? I don't know how to balance coloring the grays and relaxing the hair. I'm being promoted at a Fortune 100 company into a position with high visibility and management of a staff in the hundreds. I've been told by a male mentor to make my hair more stylish.

A hairstylist gave me this advice:
Do not relax (touch-up) and color gray DURING THE SAME VISIT. I agree.
She said wait 2 weeks and 1 washing to color gray AFTER the relaxer.
AND NEVER relax hair that has been colored within the 3 weeks prior.

Will this schedule damage my hair?
Should I adjust this schedule?
What should I adjust in my hair care routine to prevent hair damage?

Please contact Gwyneth at: gwyneth_pew@hotmail.com

ooOoo

Disclaimer
The articles on this site are provided as a public service and to be used for information purposes only. BlackRefer.com does not accept any responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of the article content. Use at your own risk.

No Endorsement:
BlackRefer.com does not endorse or recommend any article on this site or any product, service or information found within said articles. Resources and links included in said articles are only suggested as sources for further exploration, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained in these resources. The opinions and views of the authors who have submitted articles to BlackRefer.com belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlackRefer.com.

News Pitch: Major Problem for Black Women Solved!

Black women, like other women, have many issues that they need to address. However, one particular issue seems to be more nerve wrecking than others. The dilemma that comes when you move to a new city, hate your current hair stylist, or have a hair emergency while traveling will drive you insane. I know, because I've been there and done that. I've relocated 5 times since graduating high school and I've had to find a new stylist every single time. Some of the cities that I lived in had a small black population and that made it even more difficult, but I prevailed through trial and error.

This is where my new site www.MyBlackTresses.com comes in. It's a great new site that's going to launch August 1st, 2012. Learn more about about us: About Us and Welcome to MyBlackTresses.

Here are some quick facts:

MyBlackTresses.com has over 1,000 salons and stylists that cater to black, African American, Latina, and multicultural women in the US and beyond.

Our site makes it easy to find, contact and review salons and stylists. It's better than a Yelp search for "black hair salon."Our review function allows visitors to gain feedback from real women.

Our best feature is that we also highlight stylists from non-ethnic salons who provide ethnic haircare services. These folks are the hardest to find for the typical black woman. It also encourages non-black stylists and salons to service women of color.

In honor of our launch we are hosting giveaways (5 total) during the month of August to help drive salon and stylist reviews.

Our listings are up to date, unlike our competitors who do not follow-up with their listed salons and/or stylists.

We feel that we've done a great job pulling together this resource for your readers, black women and multi-racial women everywhere.

ooOoo

The articles on this website are provided for information purposes only. BlackRefer.com does not accept any responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of the article content on this site or reliance by any person on the site's contents.

No Implied Endorsement:
BlackRefer.com does not endorse or recommend any article on this site or any product, service or information found within said articles. The views and opinions of the authors who have submitted articles to BlackRefer.com belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlackRefer.com.

- American Diabetes Association and AIDS Healthcare Foundation are National Supporters • Saturday, June 30th Kick-off in Los Angeles -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In an effort to improve the health of African American families, the Beauty N Black Wellness Tour will turn beauty salons into centers for health information and screening, starting with a June 30th launch in Los Angeles. Women visiting the salons will have the opportunity to talk with experts about common health concerns and to get screened by a health professional for diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV. The Black BeautyShop Health Foundation (www.blackbeautyshop.org) will produce the nine-city tour in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Women are the health CEO of the family, said Margo LaDrew, executive director of the Black BeautyShop Health Foundation. Given that black women visit the salon an average of 2.5 times a month, the beauty shop is an ideal place to educate women and equip them with practical tools for improving their family's health.

Ms. LaDrew is an expert at the intersection of beauty and health for African American women. She is a former divisional sales manager with Carson-Johnson products, which is a leader in hair care brands for black women. Additionally, Ms. LaDrew spent more than four years with the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program. Under that organization's banner, she assisted the founder in developing, launching and implementing all programs, coordinated the national tours and also produced the African American Men's Health & Empowerment Summits. All told, Ms. LaDrew helped to deliver health screenings to more than 25,000 men in 26 cities before stepping down in June 2011.

Spurred by her success in the arena of black men's health, Ms. LaDrew founded the Black BeautyShop Health Foundation, whose mission is to turn Black women's interest in beauty and personal care into opportunities for raising their awareness of how to prevent and manage disease. In addition to bringing health information into beauty shops, in 2012 the Beauty N Black Wellness Tour will sponsor free day-long health and beauty expos in Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; New York City; Oakland, CA; Richmond, VA; Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.

Susan Evans, MD, a nationally acclaimed dermatologist and media personality who serves as Ambassador for the initiative, said, "As a dermatologist, I know that skin is the window to overall health. I believe the Beauty N Black Wellness Tour will help Black women make the connection between external beauty and internal health." Toward that end, Dr. Evans will make personal appearances at events in Los Angeles and several cities during the tour.

American Diabetes Association National Collaboration
Recognizing that diabetes impacts nearly 15 percent of African Americans over age 20, the Black BeautyShop Health Foundation is collaborating with the American Diabetes Association (the Association), which will leverage its relationships with local health care agencies and health professionals and provide diabetes educational materials.

According to Earnestine Walker, director of African-American and older initiatives for the American Diabetes Association, the tour will enhance the work of the Association, which has a long record of commitment to black communities. "I am delighted to collaborate with the Beauty N Black Wellness Tour," said Ms. Walker. "Sometimes women neglect themselves to take care of others. But by encouraging women to take better care of themselves inside and out, this program helps women get healthier and take action to improve the health of their families and communities."

AIDS Healthcare Foundation National Partnership
Given that nearly half of those living with HIV in the United States are African American, the Beauty N Black Wellness Tour is partnering with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to provide women with life-saving information about preventing and managing HIV/AIDS. In several tour cities, AHF and its local partners will provide free rapid HIV testing on one of its mobile testing vans.

"The AIDS epidemic is hitting African Americans harder than any other ethnic group in the US," said Whitney Engeran-Cordova, senior director of public health for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a global organization that is the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the United States. "It is essential that we find effective methods for communicating with Black women," he continued. "We believe the Beauty N Black Wellness Tour will make a difference because it places HIV education and testing in a context that is relevant to black women's lives."

About the Black BeautyShop Health Foundation
The Black BeautyShop Health Foundation is a 501c3 organization established to empower African American women with knowledge to choose healthier lifestyles. At the heart of the Foundation is an appreciation for Black women's interest in beauty and for the unique role beauty shops play in Black culture- as trusted places where women exchange information and set cultural norms, including those related to health behaviors. The Foundation produces the nine-city Beauty N Black Wellness Tour and publishes Black BeautyShop Magazine (www.blackbeautyshop.org), an online health and beauty resource. Nationally, the Foundation works in concert with the American Diabetes Association and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org
Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

About the AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 166,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, visit: www.aidshealth.org,
or Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth
or Twitter: @aidshealthcare

The articles on this website are provided for information purposes only. BlackRefer.com does not accept any responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of the article content on this site or reliance by any person on the site's contents.

No Implied Endorsement:
BlackRefer.com does not endorse or recommend any article on this site or any product, service or information found within said articles. The views and opinions of the authors who have submitted articles to BlackRefer.com belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlackRefer.com.

E Salon Marketing ... E Salon Marketing (ESM) is one of the premier hair salon marketing firm in southern California. We specialize in partnering with local hair salons to promote and enhance their online presence. http://www.esalonmarketing.com/

EthnicSalons.com ...A directory of hair salons across the U.S. for women of color on the move. http://www.ethnicsalons.com/

Kinnks Natural Hair Online ... Worldwide directory of links about natural hair. Visitors may surf our site and find pride in a world of aesthetics that normally excludes them. http://www.naturalhaironline.com/

Your Majesties ...Mobile spa services for weddings, proms, even senior citizens and nursing homes were we travel to those individuals to give them pampering services. http://www.yourmajesties.synthasite.com/

I Can Braid It Cuts & Styles ...Specializing in braiding,weaving and natural hair with a gentle touch.No matter how long, short, kinky or straight I Can Braid It is here to serve you.Quality work for an affordable price.Men, women and children are welcome. Oakland, CA.http://www.icanbraidit.com/

Jovance Beauty and Wellness ...Jovance Beauty and Wellness is a full service salon and wellness center offering a variety of pampering services and treatments. Inspired by the concept of restoring oneself back to feeling young again, Jovance's services are centered on restoring the mind, body and appearance. Vallejo Ca. http://www.jovance.com/

Lattitudes The Salon ...Inglewood's premiere beauty salon. Our courteous and professional staff has served Inglewood and Los Angeles area women for many years now, with results worth boasting about. Specializing in Black/African American haircare. Lattitudes is located 5 miles south of Hollywood and Beverly Hills In Inglewood a suburb of Los Angeles. You will enjoy being serviced by our professional and courteous styling team. http://www.lattitudesthesalon.com/

Le Skintique ...Le Skintique is a full service salon for men and women dedicated to enhancing your inner and outer beauty. Inglewood, California. http://www.leskintique.com/

Mahogany Hair Revolution ...A healthy hair care salon in Los Angeles that strives to enhance the inner strength and beauty of each individual by creating gorgeous styles without overprocessing and damaging the hair. http://www.mahoganyrevolution.com/

Margaret' Hair Salon ... Margaret' Hair Salon Offers a professional private atmosphere where you can relax while your hair is being styled. Margaret's Hair Gallery is a full service salon for all your beauty needs. My salon serves the Sacramento Elk Grove area. http://www.margaretshairsalon.com/

Rumors Beauty Salon and Sports Barbershop ...Rumors is one of the most sought-after salons in Colorado. Servicing clients,from all over the United State and other Countries. Aurora, CO. http://www.rumorshairsalons.com/

Grafitti Hair Salon ...Grafitti Hair Salon niched as an upscale salon, quickly grew into an area attraction, thanks to the eclectic artwork that graced its walls. This feature, coupled with excellent service and some of the best hair and makeup artists in the Washington D.C. metro area.http://www.grafittihair.com/

Blewchocolate ... we own 2 salons in Pinellas county Florida. We specialize in ethnic hair care
at the 2 locations.http://www.blewchocolatesalonclearwater.com

Designz Unlimited ...Whether you need a relaxer, hair cut or a quick brow wax, you'll find it and more here. I have the ability to do various ethnic groups as well. Tampa, Florida. http://www.designz-unlimited.com/

Glow Salon and Day Spa ...Glow is a minority and woman-owned, independently operated salon that has been serving the South Florida community for years. Our salon professionals hail from throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and speak English, Spanish and Creole. http://www.glowsalonmiami.com/

Whippin Stylz ...Whippin Stylz is a company that specializes in providing high quality, affordable health and beauty services. We strive to provide the community with comfortable, and convenient services to fit the needs of our growing client base. Tampa, Florida.http://www.whippinstylz.com/